大象传媒

The origins of Salsa are unclear, but the modern dance certainly evolved in North America, based on earlier Caribbean rhythms.

The word 鈥� Salsa鈥� is Spanish, meaning 鈥� Spice 鈥� or 鈥� Sauce 鈥�. The music and the dance is influenced by Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms.

The dance is based on a three step sequence repeated over two bars of music. The sequence usually starts on beat one, except in a style known as 鈥� New York Mambo 鈥�, which starts on beat two.

Salsa itself is basically a street dance, improvised, spontaneous, danced with a partner.

Salsa music is played by bands of up to 12 musicians. Trombones and trumpets feature heavily, as do vocals听 percussion. Claves; two heavy wooden sticks tapped together, are also popular.

Being Latin and hot blooded people in Hull have embraced Salsa with passion.

Sue Spice, who teaches Salsa in the city told us. 鈥� My partner Ian and I started teaching Salsa in Hull in 1999. From the start we were inundated with people who wanted to learn the dance 鈥�.

We went along to Sue and Ian鈥檚 Tuesday evening Salsa class and social at the Marist Church Hall on Cottingham Road in Hull.

The dancers told us. 鈥� It鈥檚 the social side of it. You meet lots of new people and once you can dance Salsa you can dance it in any city abroad and go on Salsa trips overseas.鈥�

Another dancer explained 鈥� You could go out and dance every night of the week if you wanted 鈥�.

But can you stay in a Latin Mood all week in Hull?

鈥� Yes, 鈥� one lady told us 鈥� I have it on in the car, in the office, when I鈥檓 cooking the tea I listen to Salsa music all the time. 鈥�